Daily Bread 2011 - Ephesians 3
Daily Bread 2011 – Ephesians 3
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
What Does This Mean?
As we survey Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, we see his heart for them to experience the fullness of who God is. By application, this is a prayer for all of us as well. Paul’s prayer is that we might be able to grasp the depth of God’s love for us in our inner being. As Christ himself dwells in our hearts through faith, we begin to experience the immensity and breadth of God’s love for us and by application for the whole world. Literally Paul prays that we would be filled to the brim with the fullness of God. Meaning Paul realizes that we cannot be the Church without God’s presence and power operating from on the inside.
Paul not only wants us to grasp or comprehend how great and deep this love is, but also to know it. As we begin to do that we will begin to realize the unbelievable capacity we have to do the things God has called us to do. I.e. As it says in John 15 “Apart from me you can do nothing!” We have heard the song from Mercy Me, “I can only imagine”, which hit the top of the charts a while back. Paul tells us that we can do more than we could ever imagine if we allow ourselves to be rooted and established in God’s great love, which gives us access to His great power.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Whenever we look at a problem in the world or in the church, the answer is actually really quite simple. We need more of God’s love and power. Instead of spending time looking at the size of our problems, we should spend time looking how deep and rich the power and love we have available to us through Christ. After all Jesus is now the ruler of the universe and He lives within us and is in our grasp. We know Him! And He lives in and through us!
If you are struggling with a problem, take time out from considering your circumstances which are happening outside of you. Take a moment to realize the great power and love that lives within you as you have faith in Jesus Christ. Take a moment to release and surrender all of the ways in which you are trying to manage and control your problems with your own energy, personality, and strength; and allow the God of the universe to take hold of them and you. Remember we can only imagine the plans He has for us. As we realize that great power we have in our Lord and Savior, we can begin to act on it and be transformed by it!
Heavenly Father, help us to fathom Your great love you have lavished on us through Your Son. Help us to not focus on our problems, but the great solution You have given us through Him who loves us and gave His life for us! May Your Spirit fill us with all that you are, so we might live in your power and love every day, every hour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
What Does This Mean?
As we survey Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, we see his heart for them to experience the fullness of who God is. By application, this is a prayer for all of us as well. Paul’s prayer is that we might be able to grasp the depth of God’s love for us in our inner being. As Christ himself dwells in our hearts through faith, we begin to experience the immensity and breadth of God’s love for us and by application for the whole world. Literally Paul prays that we would be filled to the brim with the fullness of God. Meaning Paul realizes that we cannot be the Church without God’s presence and power operating from on the inside.
Paul not only wants us to grasp or comprehend how great and deep this love is, but also to know it. As we begin to do that we will begin to realize the unbelievable capacity we have to do the things God has called us to do. I.e. As it says in John 15 “Apart from me you can do nothing!” We have heard the song from Mercy Me, “I can only imagine”, which hit the top of the charts a while back. Paul tells us that we can do more than we could ever imagine if we allow ourselves to be rooted and established in God’s great love, which gives us access to His great power.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Whenever we look at a problem in the world or in the church, the answer is actually really quite simple. We need more of God’s love and power. Instead of spending time looking at the size of our problems, we should spend time looking how deep and rich the power and love we have available to us through Christ. After all Jesus is now the ruler of the universe and He lives within us and is in our grasp. We know Him! And He lives in and through us!
If you are struggling with a problem, take time out from considering your circumstances which are happening outside of you. Take a moment to realize the great power and love that lives within you as you have faith in Jesus Christ. Take a moment to release and surrender all of the ways in which you are trying to manage and control your problems with your own energy, personality, and strength; and allow the God of the universe to take hold of them and you. Remember we can only imagine the plans He has for us. As we realize that great power we have in our Lord and Savior, we can begin to act on it and be transformed by it!
Heavenly Father, help us to fathom Your great love you have lavished on us through Your Son. Help us to not focus on our problems, but the great solution You have given us through Him who loves us and gave His life for us! May Your Spirit fill us with all that you are, so we might live in your power and love every day, every hour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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